Dressed for success: Realizing the catalytic potential of RNA

In this manuscript the catalytic ability of RNA is examined and compared to other biopolymers. Despite having considerably fewer catalytically enabling properties when compared to proteins, the power of in vitro selection has allowed for RNA and DNA catalysts to be isolated. RNA catalysis has been expanded by incorporating modified bases to enrich the structural and functional diversity of RNA. Successful examples of new RNA chemistry using base modifications include carbon–carbon bond forming reactions and creation of highly specific active sites that are capable of recognizing small organic molecules without the need for nucleic acid templating or intercalation. In fact, the scope of functional modifications available for use in the RNA platform may eventually surpass those that are found in proteins and there are already hints that well chosen modifications allow nucleic acid catalysts to take advantage of mechanisms not available to selected protein catalysts for similar reactions. The chemical versatility of RNA is just emerging and future research directions will likely entail more creative methods for functional modification that will lead to new catalysts. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biopoly 48: 29–37, 1998